Associate Director - Cost Intelligence & Estimating - PMCM

WSP in the UK & Ireland; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hybrid working

Comprehensive health and wellbeing programme

Access to a virtual GP

Gymflex scheme

Part-time and flexible options

Job summary

WSP in the UK & Ireland is seeking an Associate Director within the Cost Intelligence and Estimating team to lead estimating and cost intelligence services. This role demands a blend of technical expertise and strategic management responsibilities.

You will oversee major infrastructure projects, mentoring a team while contributing to business case development and ensuring high standards of delivery. The position also offers hybrid working, competitive benefits, and opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in water or energy sectors.
• Management and delivery experience in cost and commercial matters.
• Ability to develop, mentor, and grow a team.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of estimating and cost intelligence services.
• Provide technical leadership across the full project lifecycle.
• Build and maintain trusted client relationships.

Skills

Technical estimating expertise

Client relationship management

Communication skills

Project leadership

Education

MRICS or similar commercial qualification

Tools

CostX

CEMAR

Job description

Job Description

What if you could do the kind of work the world needs? At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives, experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you. WSP is one of the world's leading engineering and environmental professional services firms providing technical consultancy to the built and natural environment. We believe that for societies to thrive, we must hold ourselves accountable for tomorrow, creating innovative solutions to the challenges the future will bring to the communities and environments where we live and work across the UK.

A Little More About Your Role…

As an Associate Director within our Cost Intelligence and Estimating team, you will lead the delivery of high-quality estimating, cost intelligence and benchmarking services for major programmes and projects across infrastructure and built environment sectors. You will provide technical leadership across the full project lifecycle, from early-stage strategic advice and business case development through to procurement support, cost planning and commercial management during delivery, helping clients make confident, evidence-based investment decisions.

This role combines deep technical estimating expertise with strategic and managerial responsibility. You will be expected to lead complex commissions, build trusted client relationships, shape and win new opportunities, and grow WSP’s presence in key markets and sectors. You will also play a central role in developing our team through line management, mentoring and technical leadership, ensuring high standards of delivery while supporting capability growth and the development of future talent.

Requirements

• MRICS or similar commercial qualification
• Demonstrable extensive experience in water or energy sectors, including applicable knowledge, ability and experience with regard to estimating and benchmarking at various design stages, digital tools, procurement, and pre- and post-contract cost and commercial management
• Demonstrable management, project leadership and delivery experience in cost and/or commercial matters at senior level and/or in complex environments, including business case development, investment appraisal, or strategic cost advice at programme level
• Ability to develop, mentor and grow a team
• Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders

Desirable

• Confident in identifying growth opportunities and supporting or leading bids, proposals and work-winning activities
• Experienced in either the water or energy sectors
• Familiarity with relevant specialist software such as CostX and CEMAR
• Evidence of wider professional contribution through external recognition, networks or best practice development
• Working knowledge of NEC Contracts and other industry-standard contract forms
• Transferable experience across other regulated infrastructure markets

Benefits

At WSP, we offer a range of benefits including flexible hybrid working with two days a week from home, a modern office environment, work-life balance, a comprehensive health and wellbeing programme, access to a virtual GP, gymflex scheme, comprehensive menopause support, flexible working arrangements, part-time and flexible options, and a WSP My Hour allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities.

EEO Statement

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.